Bahrain face must-win for Asian handball semis berth

TDT | Manama                                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain face a must-win clash with Iran tonight in the ninth Asian Men’s Youth (U19) Handball Championship, being hosted by Bahrain.

The nationals are the tournament’s two-time defending champions but are currently third in Group A with one match to play ahead of the semi-finals. The Iranians are second based on goal difference, and the winners of their meeting this evening will gain the other berth in the last four, joining unbeaten division winners South Korea.

Bahrain’s game with Iran is scheduled for a 7pm start and it will be played at the Bahrain Handball Association Arena in Um Al Hassam. Bahrain have a 19-player squad for the competition.

Coached by Mohammed Al Maraghi, the youth national team roster includes Ali Abdulkarim Abbas, Noah Syed Redha Hashem, Mohammed Yusuf Yaqoob, Ali Redha Hamadah, Jaafar Abdulshaheed, Ahmed Taleb Ibrahim, Mohammed Abdulla Issa, Sayed Ali Hassan Al Wadaei, Hussain Majed, Sayed Hussain Fadhel, Qassim Mirza, Elyas Mohammed Ali Nasser, Hussain Abdulla Al Hayki, Mohammed Shamlu, Sayed Mahmood Al Falahi, Ali Ahmed Al Madani, Mustafa Ahmed Al Shehab, Mohammed Al Marzooq and Abbas Hussain Abbas.

Meanwhile, Japan and Saudi Arabia are already through to the semis from Group B, and they face off today at 3pm to determine who finishes the preliminary round in first place. Both sides have won all four of their games so far. There are five matches in all today on the final day of the preliminary round. All are welcome to attend. Entrance is free.